The museum building served as the official residence for the Romanian royal family until the abolition of the monarchy in 1947.
Several works in the European Gallery were acquired by King Carol I of Romania for his private collection.
The central Throne Hall within the building has been restored to reflect its appearance during the royal era.
The museum holds a specialized collection of Oriental art, including pieces from China, Japan, and Southeast Asia.
The building's architecture reflects a mix of neoclassical and eclectic styles typical of 19th-century European palace design.
Part of the museum's collection was recovered following significant fire damage and looting that occurred during the 1989 Revolution.
The National Museum of Art of Romania is housed within the former Royal Palace in Bucharest, situated on the historic Calea Victoriei. The museum comprises two primary sections: the National Gallery, featuring Romanian medieval and modern art, and the European Gallery. Its collections include significant works by Romanian masters such as Constantin Brâncuși, Theodor Aman, and Nicolae Grigorescu. The European section showcases masterpieces by artists such as Rembrandt, Rubens, and El Greco. The palace building itself survived major damage during the 1989 Romanian Revolution, which is visible in the architecture. It serves as the primary repository for the former royal family's art collection. Visitors can explore a vast array of sculptures, oil paintings, and historical artifacts spanning several centuries. The institution functions as the most important art museum in the country.
The grand central staircase and the view of the palace facade from Revolution Square.
Prioritize visiting one gallery section at a time, as the collection is vast and can be overwhelming in a single visit.
Check the museum's official website for temporary exhibitions, as these often occupy the ground floor galleries.
Use the cloakroom for heavy bags to ensure easier movement through the historic palace halls.
Attempting to see the entire collection in one visit, which often leads to exhaustion before reaching the European Gallery.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Maintain a quiet volume and avoid using flash photography to protect light-sensitive artworks.
